Thorn in the flesh

For several years I have struggled with a weakness. I remember that my prayers were always to ask God to cure me of this weakness as I seemed powerless, despite my best intentions and efforts. That magical cure never happened. But it is no longer a struggle for me. I mean, I didn't even realize when it was that it happened. I just know that it is no longer an issue. It doesn't even make me so preoccupied as before.

I have entered another phase in my life and it was provoked by a difficult experience. I've struggled for several months, moving from denial to self-accusation. Somehow I have managed to survive but I can still feel its aftereffects. I am tempted again to ask God to take away the pain, maybe to give me amnesia so that it wouldn't torture me anymore.

Then I look back to my past experience, and I am sure that this too will pass, that one day I am going to get back my smile. The thorn in the flesh is not a curse but a blessing. It reminds me of my creatureliness, and of the goodness of God.